GARETH THOMAS said he would never turn down the chance to captain Wales after he was named as skipper for Saturday’s showdown with England.

Thomas will lead Wales out at the Millennium Stadium in the final Six Nations clash after Stephen Jones was forced to pull out with a fractured bone in his wrist.

Wales head into the game on a run of five straight defeats, facing the prospect of the wooden spoon and a Six Nations whitewash.

“Gareth asked me if I wanted the captaincy under these circumstances,” said Thomas, who will win a Welsh record-equalling 92nd cap in his last Six Nations game. “Whether we had won or lost the last 10 games, I’d never turn down the chance to captain my country.

“It’s a big disruption with Stephen going because he is a good leader and the guys like him being around. But it’s important we fill the gap and motivate ourselves to put in a good performance.

“I’ll go out there on Saturday, lead my country against England, whatever criticism is flying around, and I’ll be upbeat and motivate the boys as well as I can.”

Thomas will lead from inside centre, with James Hook shifting to fly-half.